Livestrong: Only 8 donors asked for their money back

Nov. 12, 2012
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Doug Ulman, president and CEO of Livestrong, speaks to participants at a foundation event in Texas last month. The charity has fared well in donations despite the controversy surrounding its founder, cyclist Lance Armstrong, who has been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after an investigation showed he was a key figure in a team doping conspiracy throughout his career. / Tom Pennington, Getty

by Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAY Sports

by Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAY Sports

Lance Armstrong is officially done with Livestrong. But Livestrong continues to live up to its name, not only surviving but thriving through every chapter of the doping scandal that has engulfed its founder.

The cancer-fighting charity says donations have increased 7% since Aug. 23, when the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced it would strip Armstrong of his seven titles in the Tour de France.

Donations are up 15% since mid-October, when USADA released a mammoth file of evidence that showed Armstrong used banned drugs and blood transfusions throughout his cycling career.

The charity also says only eight donors have asked for refunds in the wake of the scandal.

To help prevent more negative attention from affecting the foundation, Armstrong last week quietly stepped down from Livestrong's board of directors. He previously resigned as chairman on Oct. 17.

His future role with the foundation is unclear.

"The foundation is counting on him to remain an active advocate in the global cancer movement, and we certainly welcome his participation, however he chooses to be involved," said Livestrong spokeswoman Katherine McLane.

Armstrong appeared at a gala last month in his hometown of Austin, Texas, to help raise funds for the charity on its 15th anniversary. He has long denied the doping charges, but has not publicly addressed USADA's evidence.

Over the weekend, Armstrong posted a photo online showing himself on a couch underneath his framed championship Tour jerseys.

Founded by Armstrong shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer himself, Livestrong's official name is the Lance Armstrong Foundation. It provides support for cancer patients worldwide and has raised $484 million since its inception, including $279 million in the past five years.

Since Aug. 23, Livestrong says its 31,812 donations are a 7.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Those donations total $3.8 million, up 3% from last year.

Since Oct. 15, the foundation has received 13,751 donations totaling $1.9 million, both increases over last year.

Since Oct. 17, when Armstrong stepped down as Livestrong's chairman, all of his major sponsors have dropped him, including Nike, which said it was deceived by Armstrong. But Livestrong reports 10,192 donations since Oct. 21, up 21% compared to last year. Merchandise sales also have increased since mid-October.

In a statement on Monday, the foundation said, "We are proud of Lance's indelible contributions to the global effort to eradicate cancer and his on-going personal commitment to improving the lives of its survivors. The Foundation will continue to grow its free services for cancer survivors, advocate on their behalf and fulfill the mission Lance created 15 years ago."

The International Cycling Union, which last month decided to let stand the USADA verdict against Armstrong, has asked the cyclist to return about $4 million in prize money from his Tour wins. Additionally, a Dallas promotions company is seeking about $12 million in returned bonuses and legal fees stemming from Armstrong's Tour wins from 2002-2004.